Sarah Norris, Head of Good Food dishes up the next course

Good Food has been the go-to destination for engaging, independent and expert content on restaurants, bars, drinks, food trends and entertaining for more than 40 years. But like any great dish, sometimes it’s time to update the recipe. 

Sarah Norris, Head of Good Food joined Nine in April 2023, tasked with supercharging the brand in the marketplace and driving subscriber growth. It was around this time that Good Food began its transformation, re-integrating with the broader Nine ecosystem after operating as a standalone product. 

“People want to know the news of the day and the political stories – but they also want to know where they can eat dinner,” shares Sarah. By bringing Good Food back under the Herald and Age brands, its stories now sit comfortably alongside current affairs, often gaining just as much engagement.   

But this wasn’t the only big change. The team has been hard at work developing the new Good Food app. 

The next chapter: Launching the Good Food app

Drawing on the Good Food brand’s 40 years of expertise, the app ushers in a new era for Australia’s food and drinks scene by delivering a comprehensive digital experience for both eating in and eating out.

It houses more than 900 reviews (and counting) from the 2025 Good Food Guide editions, allowing users to browse hat recommendations, Critics’ Picks and lists of the best cafes, bars and pubs.

It also includes a daily feed of restaurant news, nutrition and healthy eating advice and there are 10,000 recipes from Australia’s top chefs and recipe creators.

“With the cost of living crisis, there’s a real appetite for people to know where to spend their money wisely. People are looking for trusted sources to get that information and to have a product that is available to you on the go just seemed like a really sensible decision.” 

“It’s like having the Good Food review team in your pocket. It’s one of the most exciting things happening at Nine right now.”  shares Sarah. 

What’s on the menu: Personalisation and more

While the Good Food app launched in November, the product and development team continue to add features and functionality. “We talk about November being the entrée launch, but we’ve got mains and then dessert to come in 2025.” 

The app’s complexities have made it a challenging product to develop, and Sarah says is likely the reason why something like this doesn’t already exist on the market. “Yes, there are cooking apps, and apps that help you discover where to eat, but none that combines the two. It’s been challenging to bring to life but to work on a product like this is really exciting. It’s not like we’re building a tax portal,” jokes Sarah. “It’s the Good Food Guide!”

The app has been a true collaboration, with about 50 people involved from across Nine’s business.  “We’ve had so much support from other teams. It’s not just the Good Food team working in isolation. We’ve been in steering committee meetings with heads of Product, Strategy, Audience, and Commercial. People from all over the business are pulling together. You don’t feel like you’re doing it on your own.”  

Making an impact

Sarah says one of the most exciting aspects of working at Good Food is the opportunity to collaborate with the wider newsroom, including top investigative journalists from the SMH and Age. That collab led to a series of important articles published that addressed unsafe workplace culture within the Sydney hospitality scene. 

“I’ve been in lifestyle journalism for a long time but I never thought that I would be part of something that can make this kind of impact,” says Sarah, adding that working for a brand that values great journalism adds a depth to the work that’s hard to find elsewhere. “It’s not just about writing great stories; it’s about creating journalism that influences real-world outcomes.”

Whether you’re developing content, building the tech, or creating strategy, working at Good Food serves up a unique experience that combines creativity, collaboration, and innovation. It’s a place where fresh ideas are always on the menu, and there’s plenty to sink your teeth into and make an impact.